Fossils unearthed in India revealed a prehistoric snake that may have been one of the longest to have ever lived, according to a new study.A panoramic view of Panandhro Lignite Mine, in western India's Gujarat state, shows the fossiliferous level where the giant snake Vasuki indicus was found. A giant prehistoric snake longer than a school bus slithered around what is now India 47 million years ago, according to new research.
Initially, the team thought the bones belonged to an ancient crocodile-like creature. It wasn’t until the researchers removed sediment from the fossils during the study’s initial stage in 2023 that they realized they “were looking at the remains of an exceptionally large snake,” the authors said.A lifelike reconstruction of the massive vertebrae of Vasuki indicus is seen as viewed from above.
Based on the size of the preserved vertebrae, the researchers estimated that the snake would have been 10.9 meters to 15.2 meters in length, based on two different calculation methods, with a broad and cylindrical body.